Paper cutter magnetic spacer

ABSTRACT

A cutter especially adapted for cutting stacks of paper stock employing a powered back gauge. An elongated magnetic memory track extends along the path of movement of the gauge and the gauge carries a transducer capable of sensing or modifying the program thereon, such program determining automatically the stopping points for the back gauge during a cutting operation. Means are provided for physically shifting the memory track to compensate for mechanical and electrical lag or response time of the apparatus.

I United States Patent m1 3,623,619

[72] inventor Homer Loper 3.260378 7/1966 Jackson. 214/16 g gf Mlch' Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher p 27 I970 Attorney-Price,Heneveld.Huizenga&Cooper 1e [45] Patented Nov. 30, 1971 [73] Assignee The Challenge Machinery Company Grand Haven, Mich.

ABSTRACT: A cutter especially adapted for cutting stacks of [54] PAPER CUTTER MAGNETIC SPACER paper stock employing a powered back gauge. An elongated 11 Claims, 13 Drawing Figs. magnetic memory track extends along the path of movement of the gauge and the gauge carries a transducer capable of 3 5 68 sensing or modifying the program thereon, such program ai 211/ determining automatically the stopping points for the back 6 gauge during a cutting operation. Means are provided for physically shifting the memory track to compensate for 5 Referenm a mechanical and electrical lag or response time of the ap- UNITED STATES PATENTS 3245.556 4/1966 Thumim 2l4/1.6

PATENTED 30197! 3. 623 6 l 9 SHEET 2 OF 5 IuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuJim-w.

lum-

Illlll.

INVENTOR. 6 0/ 458 La gz sY/alj 'w ZZJWM irraeus'rlf PATENTEDHuv 30 l97| SHEET 0F 5 INVENTOR. x/awae 40252 BY Q0 W arraen/ew' BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cutters and, more particularly, to cutters capable of executing a series of cutting operations in accordance with a predetermined program.

In the cutting art, particularly as such art concerns itself with the cutting of stacks of paper or the like, it is often desirable to cut a plurality of stacked sheets of stock at various locations such that, effectively, the pile of large sheets is transformed into several piles of smaller sheets. Cutting of this type is accomplished, ordinarily, by placing the stack of sheets of stock on the table of the cutter. The clamping and knife arrangement, conventionally, is stationary horizontally with respect to this table and, consequently, it is customary to move the stack of stock to the proper position on the table prior to making a particular cut. Such movement is accomplished, conventionally, by means of a power-operated back gauge slidably mounted on the table so as to abut and move the stock to the desired location.

Where, as is usually the case, it is desirable to cut the particular stack into numerous smaller stacks, some means must be provided for either automatically or manually terminating movement of the back gauge at the proper location such that the cut to be made will be properly spaced from a preceding cut. This procedure may be accomplished manually through use of a conventional measuring device affixed for movement with the back gauge or by means of various automatic" arrangements which have been proposed heretofore in the art.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an automatic" type of back gauge positioning mechanism suitable for utilization in conjunction with cutters such as those described heretofore.

It is an object of this invention, more particularly, to provide such a device which will accurately position the back gauge of a cutter in accordance with a predetermined program providing built-in compensation for various mechanical and electrical lags and permitting manual override of the program sequence when desirable.

These objects are accomplished, briefly, in an apparatus for cutting stock having a table upon which the stock to be cut is positioned. A gauge is slidably positioned on the table for positioning the stock at various locations thereon and means are provided for moving the gauge with respect to the table. The apparatus incorporates a control panel having manual switches thereon for controlling the various cutting operations.

This invention concerns itself particularly with the provision of an elongated information storage means retained on the apparatus such that its length axis extends in a direction parallel to the path of movement of the gauge. A transducing means is mounted for travel with the gauge such that it slidably abuts the information storage means, Means are provided at the control panel for recording selectively deactivation signals in accordance with a predetermined scheme at predetermined longitudinal positions on the storage means. Means are provided, additionally, for activating the moving means so as to move the gauge from a starting position in one direction. Means are provided for deactivating the moving means in response to the sensing by said transducing means of a deactivation signal on the storage means whereby the gauge will move in one direction in accordance with the predetermined scheme. Means activatable from the control panel are provided for overriding movement of the gauge in said one direction in accordance with said predetermined scheme and causing said gauge to move in a direction opposite to said one direction to return to its starting position. Means are provided, additionally, associated with said retaining means for physically shifting the longitudinal position of said storage means with respect to said table to compensate for lag in the response of said moving means and said deactivating means to a deactivating signal sensed by said transducing means.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES A detailed description of the preferred embodiment of this invention will be readily understood by those skilled in the art with reference to the following specification and accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an apparatus incorporating the subject matter of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a front-elevational view thereof having certain covering panels broken away to better illustrate the working components;

FIG. 3 is a side-elevational view of the apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a broken, plan view of the table section of the apparatus;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the table and back-gauge moving and control portion of the apparatus;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary, broken, side-elevational view of the magnetic tape bar retaining and adjustment assembly;

FIG. 7 is a schematic illustration of the preferred magnetic track-transducer arrangement;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, side-elevational view of the magnetic tape bar retaining and adjustment assembly;

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view of the vernier wheel utilized to zero in the apparatus;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary, plan view of the magnetic tape bar assembly;

FIG. 11 is an end-elevational view of the magnetic tape bar assembly;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of an electrical and magnetic circuit suitable for operation of the apparatus; and

FIG. 13 is a front-elevational view of the first cut adjustment knob and its scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring initially to FIGS. 1 through 5, the apparatus which is the subject of this invention comprises a frame I0 including a pair of spaced, upright pillars ll. Suspended between the upper extremities of the pillars II in integral fashion is an overhead beam 12. Also suspended between the upright pillars I1 and spaced downwardly from the overhead beam 12 is the stock-supporting table 13. Table 13 includes a longitudinal slot 14 within which the back gauge rides as is conventional.

The knife assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 20, includes a hydraulic actuating cylinder 21 connected by means of suitable linkage to the knife 22. The knife 22, as is conventional, is affixed to a carrier beam which is suitably suspended for swinging movement toward and away from the stick on table 13 by means of links 23. The cutting operation, as will be discussed in detail hereinafter, is initiated by the operator pushing both of the buttons 25.

The clamping assembly, indicated generally by the numeral 30, comprises a hydraulic actuating cylinder 31 arranged by way of linkage 33 to rotate bell cranks 32. The clamp 34 is connected to the bell cranks as illustrated particularly in FIG. 2 by means of links 33. The clamping assembly is activated by energizing cylinder 31 such that its piston rod is retracted. This causes bell cranks 32 to rotate in such fashion as to draw clamp 34 into compressive abutment with the stack of stock placed on the table for cutting purposes.

The pressure exerted on the stock by the clamp during operation of the apparatus can be controlled in any number of conventional manners. The upstroke of the clamp, similarly, can be controlled by any conventional means such as a limit switch designed to deactivate the hydraulic cylinder 31 by means of a suitable solenoid valve when the clamp has reached the desired upper or rest position.

The apparatus is provided with a conventional electric motor 40 suitably connected to a hydraulic pump 41. Oil from the reservoir 42 is pressurized and routed, via various solenoids and manual valves 43 to the various hydraulic components of the apparatus in order to actuate the clamping and cutting mechanisms of the machine.

The frame, knife assembly, clamping assembly and hydraulic assembly discussed to this point in this description are all relatively conventional in the art. The operation of these various components, it is believed, will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art and, consequently, will not be dealt with in detail in this specification.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 5, the back gauge assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 50, includes a gauge member 51 slidably journaled in table slot 14 by means of a depending carrier 52. Carrier 52 encloses a drive nut suitably housed through which threaded shaft 61, to be discussed hereinafter, passes.

The back gauge drive assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, includes an elongated screw or threaded rod 61 suitably journaled at either extremity of the apparatus beneath the table. This rod, as noted, threadably engages a drive nut in the back gauge carrier 52 and when rotated, thus, causes back gauge 51 to move along the table to the left and right as shown in FIG. 3 depending upon the direction of rotation. The stock is placed on the table so as to abut the left-hand face of back gauge 51 x viewed in FIG. 3 and, as the back gauge is moved to the left (FIG. 3), various sections of the stock are brought beneath the knife for cutting. When a cut is made, of course, movement of the back gauge is terminated and the clamping and knife assemblies actuated in conventional fashion,

Screw 61 is driven by a reversible drive motor with a suitable speed reducer 62. This assembly includes, additionally, a conventional electric brake adapted to terminate rotary movement of the screw 61 as soon as feasible after the removal of power from the drive motor. The back gauge drive assembly includes a forward limit switch 64 and a rear limit switch 65 suitably suspended from the lower side of table 13 in stationary fashion. Afiixed to the back gauge carrier 52 are forward actuator 66 and reverse actuator 67. The purpose of these components, as will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art, is to positively terminate actuation of the drive motor 62 in a specified direction whenever the back gauge is either at its forward or rearward limit with respect to the table 13 (see also FIG. 12). When, for example, a cutting operation is being effected, movement of the back gauge to its forward extremity will cause actuator 66 to contact limit switch 64 and, in a manner to be discussed hereinafter, power to motor 62 will be terminated. On a rearward or return movement, similarly, actuator 67 will actuate limit switch 65 when the rearward limit of the back gauge is reached also terminating power to the drive motor 62.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. 6 through 8, the tape head assembly 70 is affixed to the back gauge assembly 50 for movement therewith. Tape head assembly 70 includes an upright component enclosure 71 having heads 72-1, 72-2, 72-3, 72-4, 72-5, 72-6, 72-7 and 72-8 protruding upwardly therefrom. The heads 72 are spaced laterally of the apparatus, as indicated in FIG. 7, such that each slidably abuts one of the tracks 99 on the magnetic tape bar assembly as will be discussed hereinafter. The tape head assembly, conveniently, may include a conventional tape holder or carrier 73 adapted to rotate tape 85 so that a visual indication of the current position of the back gauge assembly will always be visible to the operator through the conventional magnifying lens provided at the forward extremity of the apparatus.

This visual position tape assembly 80, more particularly, includes additionally a rear support post 81 having a rear pulley 82 (see FIG. 8) suitably journaled thereon and a forward pulley (not shown) rotatably mounted in such a position that the indicia on the tape are visible in magnified condition through magnifying lens 84. Between the two pulleys, as is conventional, a tape having measuring indicia representative of the back gauge position on the table is looped in rotatable fashion and tension maintained thereon by means of a spring 86. As the back gauge is moved, thus, its precise position with respect to the table 13 will be visible to the operator through lens 84.

Referring now additionally to FIGS. and II, the magnetic tape bar assembly, indicated generally by the reference numeral 90, comprises a horizontal I-shaped member fabricated preferably from nonmagnetic metallic stock. The member 91 includes a generally planar midsection 92 flanked at each side by flanged edges 93. Upon either side of the midsection 92 is positioned a strip of spongy material 94 having some degree of give and a strip of magnetic tape 95 is suitably affixed to the exposed surface of this material.

The flexible nature of this tape backing 94, as illustrated particularly in FIG. 6, permits the heads 72 to slidably abut in positive fashion the particular tracks being monitored. Excess upward pressure on the heads which might ordinarily cause permanent damage to the heads and/or recording medium is permitted because of the flexible nature of backing 94, positive contact being maintained.

The bars 91, conveniently, can contain labels 96 on the sides thereof carrying information indicative of the particular programs recorded thereon. At one extremity on each side of the bar there is provided a depression or slot 97 in the planar midsection thereof. The opposite extremity of the bar carries a conical aperture 98 (see FIG. 11), the purpose of which will become apparent hereinafter.

The preferred embodiment of this apparatus, as noted previously, contains a series of eight separate record and read heads. The heads are spaced such in relationship to the magnetic tape bar assemblies 90 the positioning of which will be discussed hereinafter, to permit four separate tracks to be recorded on one side of each of the bars. Merely by way of example, the right-channel bar may contain tracks 99-1, 99-2, 99-3, 99-4, and the left-channel bar tracks 99-5, 99-6, 99-7 and 99-8. Each of these tracks, of course, will be read and recorded upon by a single one of the heads 72-1 through 72-8.

The magnetic tape bar assemblies 90 are maintained in adjustable position upon the apparatus by means of a pair of tape bar retaining and adjustment assemblies indicated generally by the reference numeral 100 (see also FIG. 6). Each of these assemblies includes a rear post 101 having a shoulder I02 thereon which slidably receives the slot 97 located on either side of one extremity of each bar 91. The rear extremities of the bars 91 are held in slidable abutment with the post I01 by means of a suitable spring 103 having a vertical section 104 capable of flexing rearwardly resiliently, a curved top 105 and a tape bar abutting section 106.

Near the forward extremity of the apparatus there are located a pair of pointed adjustment screws 107 threadably journaled at 108 into a stationary threaded receiving block 109. Secured to each of the adjustment screws 107 for rotation therewith is a pulley lll. Suitably journaled through the control panel are two shafts 113 rotatable by means of one of the first cut adjustment knobs 114. Each of shafts 113 has a pulley 115 secured to the rear extremity thereof and the pulleys 115 are rotatably connected to the pulleys III by means of a belt 112 enclosed by a suitable cover 116. The apparatus may include, additionally, a suitable tape bar cover 117 for shielding the magnetic tape bar assemblies 90 and their associated retaining and adjustment mechanism.

Referring specifically to FIGS. 6 and 8, it will be apparent that as one of the knobs 114 is rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise, the rotational thrust thereof will be imparted to shaft 107 via belt 112 and pulley 111. Rotation of shaft 107 will cause it to either increase or decrease in effective length with respect to the block 109 within which it is threaded depending upon the direction of rotation.

The point of shaft 107 is received, as illustrated best in FIG. 6, by the conical aperture 98 in the end of the bar 91. As knob 114 is moved in one direction, thus, shaft 107 will lengthen forcing the tape bar assembly 91 associated therewith to the right as viewed in FIG. 8 against the resilient pressure of the spring assembly 103. As knob 114 is rotated in the other direction, the effective length of shaft 107 will decrease and the bar assembly will move to the left as viewed in FIG. 8 under the influence of spring 103. The tape bar assembly will remain stable in a rotational sense during the adjustment procedure because of the abutment of its rearward extremity with post 101 and shoulder I02.

The control console assembly 120, illustrated pictorially in FIGS. 1 and 2 and schematically in FIG. 12, includes a fuse 121 and main power switch 122. Positioned immediately to the left of the power switch is the operation selector switch 123, this switch having (I) the program/manual position; (2) the automatic position; (3) the forward erase position; and (4) the reverse erase position. Each of the positions of the operation selector switch is indicated visually by means of lights, 127, 126, 125 and 124, respectively.

Proceeding left on the console viewed in FIG. 2, there is included a reverse mark switch 128 having an activation indicating light 129 and a forward mark switch 131 having an activation light 132. Beneath this switch is positioned the short-trip return button 160, operative, when activated, to cause the back gauge to cease operation under the program and return to its initial start or rearward position.

To the immediate left of the forward mark switch are located the two first cut adjustment knobs 114 shown enlarged in FIG. 13. Each of these knobs, as pointed out previously, is operable when rotated to adjust the axial position of its associated magnetic tape bar assembly 90 with respect to the table. Each of the knobs 114 includes, preferably, a pointer 133 and there is positioned on the console in stationary fashion a scale 134. The purpose and utilization of these first cut adjustment knobs will be discussed in detail hereinafter in the operation section of this specification.

To the left of the first cut adjustment knobs is located the program scan switch 135 with its associated indicating light 136. Proceeding to the left in FIG. 2, there are positioned the back gauge reverse switch 137 with its indicating light 138 and the back gauge forward switch 139 with its indicating light 141. These switches, as will become apparent hereinafter, are utilized to manually operate the back gauge either for programming purposes or for utilizing the apparatus in the nonautomatic mode of operation.

The present invention contemplates the utilization of two tracks 90 on each magnetic tape bar assembly at a time. There is provided, thus, a channel selector switch 74 (see FIG. 12) which may be located, conveniently, on the tape head assembly housing 70 in suitable position for access bythe operator. As illustrated in the schematic diagram of FIG. 12, selection between the heads 72-1, 72-2, 723, 725, 726, and 727 and, thus, between the tracks 99-1, 99-2, 99-3, 99-5, 99-6 and 99-7 will be made by manipulation of the channel selector switch 74 in conjunction with the right-left track switch 142 on the console. The heads 72-4 and 72-8 and, thus, the tracks 99-4 and 99-8 are reserved for the reverse program.

Once the channel selector 74 has been moved to the desired position, selection is made between the track contained on the right magnetic tape bar assembly 90 and the left magnetic tape bar assembly 90 by means of the right-left track switch 142 on the console. The position of this switch is indicated by means of the right track light 143 or the left track light 144. By way of explanation at this point, cutting of a particular stack of stock to desired size will be accomplished ordinarily along one axis under the influence of the program on the right or left magnetic tape bar assembly and, after the stock has been rotated 90, along the other axis under the direction of the opposite tape bar assembly. Channels 99-1 and 99-5, thus, will usually be programmed in conjunction with one another to the measurements required on the two opposed axes of the stock to be divided. Similar comments apply to tracks 99-2 and 99-6 and tracks 99-3 and 99-7. Such programming permits, of course, a repeated cutting operation along both axes of multiple stacks of stock to be accomplished by switching only the right-left track switch 142. The reverse tracks 994 and 99-8 ordinarily, because of the simplicity of the program involved, will be reprogrammed each time a channel change is made.

Completing identification of the various switches and indicating lights on the control console assembly 120, there is provided at the left extremity a speed control switch 145 operative to control the forward gauge travel speed in either a fast or slow mode. The fast mode is indicated by light 146 and the slow mode by light 147.

Referring now specifically to FIGS. 3 and 9, the zeroing-in assembly is indicated generally by the reference numeral 150 and includes a wheel 151 at the forward end of the apparatus, Wheel 151 rotates with shaft 61 and, consequently, is rotating constantly during motorized movement of the back gauge assembly. The wheel 151 has a scale 153 around the periphery thereof and a reference pointer 152 is positioned in stationary fashion from the forward edge of the table. This scale and pointer, as will be described hereinafter, is utilized in zeroing in the automatic stops during programming of the apparatus.

The various control elements appearing in the schematic diagram of FIG. 12 and their working relationship will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the description of the operation of the apparatus to follow. Merely by way of clarification, the important elements thereon which have not been referred to specifically up to this point include an auto transformer 172; an armature rectifier 173; the motor armature 174; a field rectifier 175; the motor field 176; a brake rectifier 177; and the motor brake 178. Power to the magnetic head assemblies is provided by way of a stepdown transformer 179 and rectifiers 181.

On the schematic diagram of FIG. 12, the various relays are indicated as follows:

R Reverse (power) relay RR Reverse relay RA Delay relay F Forward (power) relay M Main power relay FR Forward relay RL Right-Left relay P Program relay RTR Reverse track relay E Erase relay SR Stop relay BR Brake relay A slash (1) through the contact point, as is conventional, indicates a normally closed condition.

OPERATION Prior to programming a particular track or channel 99, it must be insured that there are no existing stops previously recorded thereon. This is accomplished by erasing the particular track in question. In order to accomplish such erasure, the channel selector 74 and right-left track switch 142 are set to the desired track and the selector switch 123 switched to the forward erase" position. The first cut adjustment knob 114 is turned to the extreme clockwise position for the track being erased and the back gauge then motored to the extreme for ward and extreme reverse positions utilizing the switches 137 and 139. As will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art from a study of the schematic diagram of FIG. 12, this operation biases the particular head 72 in circuit such that all previous marks are erased from the track 99 associated therewith. The reverse track is erased in a similar manner with the selector switch 123 turned to the reverse erase position.

Programming of the apparatus is accomplished by turning the selector switch 123 to the program/manual position and setting the right-left track switch 142 to the desired track to be programmed (with the channel selector 74 also in the correct position). The back gauge is then motored via the switch 139 to the desired point (utilizing the visual position tape assembly 80) and zeroed in by adjustment of wheel 151. Backlash of wheel 151 should be taken up in the forward position. Once the desired location of the back gauge is achieved, the forward mark button 131 is pushed which places a signal on the track to which the apparatus will thereafter be responsive. This procedure is continued repeatedly until all desired stops on the particular channel in question have been programmed.

The back gauge assembly is then motored backward by activation of the switch 137 to a position slightly behind the first programmed stop and the reverse mark button 128 pushed placing a stop on the reverse track. This mark will automatically stop the reverse travel of the apparatus without the necessity of permitting it to run backward to such an extent that actuator 67 contacts limit switch 65. Where the cuts being made are relatively widely spaced the utilization of this reverse stop will save much time in operation.

Once the forward stops on a particular track have been programmed and the reverse stop on its associated reverse track has been programmed, the selector switch 123 is turned to the automatic position and the program scan button 135 depressed to advance the back gauge one stop at a time until the entire program has been scanned. Any one or more tops can be erased and reprogrammed at this time if necessary.

After the tracks have been erased and programmed, the spacer is ready for automatic positioning. Each time a cut cycle is completed, or the program scan button 135 is pushed, the back gauge will automatically move to the next cutting position.

A stop signal generated in the particular head being monitored because of a mark previously placed upon the tape passes through the left-right track switching circuit and forward-reverse switching circuit into the amplifier. The amplified signal leaves the amplifier and turns on a suitable trigger circuit pulsing the stop relay turning off the forward control and power relays. lt also turns on the brake relay activating the brake to bring the back gauge to a stop.

Since the program stops are recorded during manual movement of the back gauge via the zeroing-in assembly 150, there will generally be a tendency during the initial stages of auto matic operation for the system to overshoot" the desired back gauge position a uniform distance at each stop, such tendency being due to lag in the response time of the mechanical and electrical components involved. This tendency is remedied in accordance with the present position by turning the appropriate first cut adjustment knob 114 counterclockwise to move the entire magnetic tape bar assembly 90 rearwardly with respect to the table the desired distance. This distance can be easily established by correlating the markings on scale 134 to the markings on hand wheel 151. The lag in response time of the signal pickup-motor stopping sequence, thus, can be easily compensated for by merely adjusting the first cut adjustment knob 114 the desired number of calibrations.

Once the apparatus has been programmed for automatic operation, the stack of stock to be cut is placed on the table in abutment with the back gauge. The first cut is then made by depressing the switches 25 which cause the clamp to come into contact with the stack and the knife to make the cut. As the knife and clamp return to their upper position, limit switch 161 is activated by any conventional means such as a probe on the clamp or an eccentric in the drive mechanism, and the back gauge automatically moves to the next stop position. Here the buttons 25 are again depressed and the process repeated until a cut in the stock has been made in accordance with all of the stops programmed on the particular channel. When the forward most cut has been made, the short trip return button 160 is depressed causing the back gauge to start its rearward movement. The back gauge will continue in this mode until such time as a reverse stop is encountered.

The right-left track switch, ordinarily, will then be switched to the opposite track, the stock rotated 90. The process is then repeated utilizing this time the preprograrnmed sequence for the perpendicular cuts.

From an examination of FIGS. 10 and 11, it will be apparent that each of the magnetic tape bar assemblies is capable of carrying three forward tracks and one reverse track on each of its sides. There is available, thus, a total of eight tracks on each bar, four of the tracks being available by merely removing the bar from its mounting by sliding it axially against the bias of spring assembly 103 to permit removal of shaft 107 from conical depression 98. The bar will then be removed from post 101 turned over and repositioned such that the head 72 then abuts the opposite side thereof.

While a preferred embodiment of this invention has been described in detail, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that other embodiments may be conceived and fabricated without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. Such other embodiments are to be deemed as included within the scope of the following claims unless these claims, by their language, expressly state otherwise.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. In an apparatus for cutting stock having a table upon which the stock to be cut is positioned; a gauge slidably positioned on said table for positioning the stock at various locations thereon; means for moving the gauge with respect to said table and a control panel having manually activatable switches thereon for controlling the various operations of said apparatus, the improvement comprising:

an elongated information storage means;

retaining means for retaining said storage means on said apparatus with its length axis extending in a direction parallel to the path of movement of said gauge;

a transducing means mounted for travel with said gauge; said transducing means slidably abutting said information storage means;

means at said control panel for recording selectively by energization of said transducing means one or more deactivation signals in accordance with a predetermined scheme at predetermined longitudinal positions on said storage means;

means for activating said moving means so as to move said gauge from a starting position in one direction;

means for deactivating said moving means in response to the sensing by said transducing means of a deactivation signal on said storage means whereby said gauge will move in said one direction in accordance with said predetermined scheme;

means activatable from said control panel for overriding movement of said gauge in said one direction in accordance with said predetermined scheme and causing said gauge to move in a direction opposite to said one direction to return to its starting position; and

means associated with said retaining means for physically shifting the longitudinal position of said storage means with respect to said table to compensate for lag in the response of said moving means and said deactivating means to a deactivating signal sensed by said transducing means.

2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises;

reverse activating means for activating said moving means so as to move said gauge in a direction opposite to said one direction;

means at said control panel for recording selectively by energization of said transducing means a reverse deac tivation signal at a predetermined longitudinal position on said storage means; and

reverse deactivating means for deactivating said moving means in response to the sensing by said transducing means of a reverse deactivation signal on said storage means.

3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said storage means includes multiple channels and wherein said transducing means includes multiple transducers, each such transducer abutting one of said channels.

4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said storage means includes multiple channels and wherein said transducing means'includes multiple transducers, each such transducer abutting one of said channels.

5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two such storage means are provided, each of said storage means having one of said transducing means associated therewith.

6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein both of said storage means are retained by one of said retaining means, one of said shifting means being provided for each said storage means.

7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said storage means and said transducing means are magnetic.

8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises an elongated rigid structural member; a layer of spongy, flexible material afi'ixed to one side of said member, and a layer of magnetic recording medium disposed over said material such that said material is sandwiched between said member and said medium.

9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein a layer of said spongy. flexible material and a layer of said medium is provided on either side ofsaid member.

10 The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shifting means is activatable from said control panel.

11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said retaining means retains said storage means in axially slidable fashion and which further comprises:

spring means biasing said storage means in a first axial direction; and

means threadably received in said apparatus and rotatable from said panel for overcoming, when rotated, said spring means to push said storage means in an axial direction opposite to said first axial direction. 

1. In an apparatus for cutting stock having a table upon which the stock to be cut is positioned; a gauge slidably positioned on said table for positioning the stock at various locations thereon; means for moving the gauge with respect to said table and a control panel having manually activatable switches thereon for controlling the various operations of said apparatus, the improvement comprising: an elongated information storage means; retaining means for retaining said storage means on said apparatus with its length axis extending in a direction parallel to the path of movement of said gauge; a transducing means mounted for travel with said gauge; said transducing means slidably abutting said information storage means; means at said control panel for recording selectively by energization of said transducing means one or more deactivation signals in accordance with a predetermined scheme at predetermined longitudinal positions on said storage means; means for activating said moving means so as to move said gauge from a starting position in one direction; means for deactivating said moving means in response to the sensing by said transducing means of a deactivation signal on said sTorage means whereby said gauge will move in said one direction in accordance with said predetermined scheme; means activatable from said control panel for overriding movement of said gauge in said one direction in accordance with said predetermined scheme and causing said gauge to move in a direction opposite to said one direction to return to its starting position; and means associated with said retaining means for physically shifting the longitudinal position of said storage means with respect to said table to compensate for lag in the response of said moving means and said deactivating means to a deactivating signal sensed by said transducing means.
 2. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 which further comprises: reverse activating means for activating said moving means so as to move said gauge in a direction opposite to said one direction; means at said control panel for recording selectively by energization of said transducing means a reverse deactivation signal at a predetermined longitudinal position on said storage means; and reverse deactivating means for deactivating said moving means in response to the sensing by said transducing means of a reverse deactivation signal on said storage means.
 3. The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said storage means includes multiple channels and wherein said transducing means includes multiple transducers, each such transducer abutting one of said channels.
 4. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said storage means includes multiple channels and wherein said transducing means includes multiple transducers, each such transducer abutting one of said channels.
 5. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein at least two such storage means are provided, each of said storage means having one of said transducing means associated therewith.
 6. The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein both of said storage means are retained by one of said retaining means, one of said shifting means being provided for each said storage means.
 7. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said storage means and said transducing means are magnetic.
 8. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said storage means comprises an elongated rigid structural member; a layer of spongy, flexible material affixed to one side of said member, and a layer of magnetic recording medium disposed over said material such that said material is sandwiched between said member and said medium.
 9. The apparatus as set forth in claim 8 wherein a layer of said spongy, flexible material and a layer of said medium is provided on either side of said member.
 10. The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said shifting means is activatable from said control panel.
 11. The apparatus as set forth in claim 10 wherein said retaining means retains said storage means in axially slidable fashion and which further comprises: spring means biasing said storage means in a first axial direction; and means threadably received in said apparatus and rotatable from said panel for overcoming, when rotated, said spring means to push said storage means in an axial direction opposite to said first axial direction. 